'Walking Around the World' Available at the Library

During 2019 a project was undertaken to survey the African American heritage related resources of Brevard and Transylvania County. 

Retired Western Kentucky University Folk Studies professor, Dr. Michael Ann Williams was hired as the project consultant.  Dr. Williams and doctoral student, Sydney Varajon included an oral history component with the project to enhance the traditional architectural survey. 

These conversational style personal interviews focused on everyday life, including issues of segregation and racism.  They created a sense of place by offering a view of the African American community as a whole rather than of individual buildings.

A common theme among all interviewees was the closeness of the community.  Several mentioned that even prior to phone service word would reach home before the child did if they misbehaved.  Morris Young referred to the “little red birds” who would quickly pass word of misdeeds.  But Young and the others agreed that one of the good things was that people looked out for each other and took care of one another.  They repeatedly stated how safe they felt within the community.

Interviewees reminisced about their school days, where each morning began with devotions, singing and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Several people talked about the high expectations of their teachers and the respect they demanded but all spoke favorably of their time at the Rosenwald School and the top quality education they received.

Before integration African American families had to send their high school age children away to school because there was not a high school for black students in Transylvania County.  Those interviewed attended Ninth Avenue in Hendersonville, boarding schools or someplace where they could stay with family. 

They also talked about their struggles after school integration.  One interviewee stated, “All we could do was go to school, behave, stay in our place.  Don’t cause any trouble.” One positive experience was the respect and equality Coach Brookshire showed everyone on Brevard High’s first integrated football team and expected them to share with each other.  Fifty years later players remained close to their coach.

The interviews and transcriptions are all available in the Local History Room at the Transylvania County Library.  The name of the report is “Walking Around the World”  which came from a story L.C. Betsill told about walking from the Greasy Corner area, up Cashiers Valley and around to the Pinnacle neighborhood (present day Brevard Music Center) on Sunday afternoons to visit the families who lived up there.  They referred to it as “walking around the world.”

The Blue Diamond, a 1960s nightclub, owned by "Joe" Samuel Mack and
Winona Whiteside, was one of the later businesses at Greasy Corner.
It served as a gathering place, offering entertainment and dances and is one
the few remaining business buildings in the community.

Greasy Corner was the hub of the community.  It was the center of African American commerce and entertainment in Brevard from the early to the mid-20^th century.  After the Community Center was organized it provided a place for gatherings, including events for children, youth and adults.  Several people shared stories of businesses and activities around that busy area.

Edith Darity summed it up with “the Rosenwald community has been alive and still is alive and well.”  Next week Picturing the Past will look at the architectural component of the project.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.